Hack Summer’25: An Easy Start to Student Life
The festival featured a variety of activities, from team games to creative challenges. At the Economic Breakthrough site, first-year students could test their knowledge in finance and learn how to make deliberate decisions with a limited amount of money. The ‘Wish Card,’ ‘Economic Mafia,’ and ‘Tame Inflation’ activities developed by Faculty of Economics graduates Ivan Sechin and Victoria Shubina were especially popular among the students thanks to their combination of creativity, economic references, and teamwork. The ‘Sell It to Me!’ contest helped the participants improve their persuasion skills, creativity, and ability to present their ideas.
Rimma Sargsyan, Manager at the Unit for Project Coordination, Festival Organiser
Over four years, Hack Summer has retained its core essence as an open-air festival where applicants can relax and socialise in an informal atmosphere. We had a lot of interactive stations with tried-and-tested activities that are always very popular with first-year students. These helped the students relax, make new acquaintances, and create heart-warming memories of their first day at the university.
While the format is familiar, we make small improvements every year: we update the activities and focus on the comfort and engagement of the participants. The main thing is to maintain an atmosphere of friendliness, inspiration, and an easy start to student life.
This year, the organisers focused on informal engagement combined with elements of education. Through stations, interactivity, and communication with senior students, more than 100 first-year students learned about the faculties, student life, grants, scientific work, and career paths.
The festival also featured traditional entertainment: the students treated themselves to hot dogs and sweet watermelon, captured memorable moments in the photo booth, and took part in speed dating to find new friends. There was also a platform with trending video questions, allowing everyone to express their opinions and share their impressions.
Nadezhda Argutkina, 1st-year student of the International Bachelor's in Business and Economics
I felt a little nervous on the way here. I thought that everyone would be untalkative and shy, but there were a lot of cool people here. This day helped me get to know the students from my group better and get ready for my studies. I think students like this festival because it symbolises the start of the academic year and helps everyone to join the team, get a feel for the academic atmosphere, and learn more about HSE University and their classmates.
Artyom Kornoukhov, 1st-year student of the International Bachelor's in Business and Economics
The event was awesome! I liked everything. The contests were very interesting—I liked ‘Sell It to Me’ most of all. I tried to sell a voice-controlled plate. It didn't work out well, because, apparently, no one needs a voice-controlled plate (although a lot depends on how you sell it). It turns out that I have room to grow, and it was valuable to realise that. Students love this festival for its variety of activities, interesting contests, and board games.
Yulia Moskalets, 3rd-year student of the International Bachelor's in Business and Economics
This is my third time at this festival. I love my faculty very much, and I am pleased that it organises such an interesting event where first-year students can meet their classmates. There are a lot of diverse and cool activities you can take part in. Overall, there is a wonderful atmosphere of student life here. In my second year, I joined the team of Hack Summer organisers, and it was a very rewarding experience. I met new people and acquired valuable skills necessary for organising such events. Today I came here to help first-year students feel at ease and show them how cool HSE University can be.
‘We sincerely enjoy creating this warm and inspiring atmosphere for new students. This is an opportunity to share your energy and experience, to help first-year students feel welcome in our community. The Hack Summer team includes 26 students from various years of the International Bachelor’s in Business and Economics, united by a common idea and the desire to make the start of student life truly bright and memorable,’ says Rimma Sargsyan.
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